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One of the favourites to be next All Blacks coach withdraws
By Ian Cameron
New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed that he will not lead the All Blacks next year, as his focus will remain on this year’s Rugby World Cup. Responding to speculation that he was in the mix to replace outgoing head coach Ian Foster, Schmidt ruled himself out of the expedited New Zealand Rugby appointment process.
Schmidt, the former Ireland head coach, said that the coaching appointment process comes too soon for him, as he is reluctant to make any commitment for 2024. “In the shorter term, I will work hard to support the All Blacks in 2023,” he said.
Schmidt took up a Super Rugby Pacific assistant role with the Blues last year before joining the All Blacks coaching staff as an assistant. In seven years as Irish head coach, he led the team to three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018, and their first-ever wins over New Zealand.
Two former All Blacks forwards, Scott Robertson and Jamie Joseph, are widely believed to be the only contenders to take the top spot when Foster stands down after the World Cup. Robertson, who has led the Crusaders to six Super Rugby titles, is the favorite to take charge in 2024. Joseph has more international experience, having coached Japan since finishing as coach of the Highlanders in 2016.
The new coach is expected to be unveiled by mid-April after NZ Rugby announced this month that it wants to ensure it recruits a world-class candidate in a competitive market. Foster has been critical of the timing of the appointment process, saying it could prove to be a distraction for him and the All Blacks players this year.
Schmidt, who is 57 years old, said that he has enjoyed being back on the grass coaching with the Blues and the All Blacks, and he appreciates those opportunities. However, presented with a condensed time frame this year, he won’t be applying for any coaching roles that extend beyond the Rugby World Cup.
“I will always be grateful for the opportunity to coach at the highest level, and I wish the All Blacks every success in the future,” Schmidt said.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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